DSEAR and ATEX Risk Assessments

In addition to the requirements under the Management of Health and Safety atWork Regulations (the Management Regulations), where flammableliquids are intentionally present in the workplace, there is a specific requirementunder regulation 5 of DSEAR for you to identify the potential risks such activity maypose to your employees and others whose health and safety may be affected, andto determine the measures to be taken to eliminate or reduce these risks so far asreasonably practicable.

A risk assessment should be carried out regardless of the quantity of flammableliquid present at the workplace, as it will enable you to decide whether existingmeasures are sufficient or whether any additional controls or precautions arenecessary. As well as assessing the normal activities within the workplace, you willalso need to assess non-routine activities, such as maintenance work, where thereis often a higher potential for fire and explosion incidents to occur. If there is no riskto safety from fires and explosions, or the risk is trivial, no further action is needed.If there are risks, then you must consider what you need to do to comply fully withthe requirements of DSEAR